Veximarl felt nervous. He kept adjusting the sleeves of the suit he had borrowed. It was slightly too short in the sleeves and legs and saggy about his torso, but he was told it looked well enough as long as he didn’t move around much. A sigh escaped his lips and he shuffled from one foot to the other nervously.

The faint sound of footsteps coming down the staircase made him look upward. Gwyn appeared to be gliding down the staircase in a hasty manner. Even if she was in a hurry, everything about her was graceful. Her gown swished around her, and the charms in her hair tinkled softly as she moved.

“I don’t see why we have to be there so early. The flowers don’t need to bloom until near the end of the party.” She gave an annoyed look to both Moss and Veximarl.

Moss tsked his tongue. “It’s polite and respectful to our hosts and employers. Plus it will give us time to mingle with the high elite of this city. We haven’t had much of a chance to do so during this visit. This will be a refreshing change of pace for both of you.”

Anais and Ivy were left idling at the estate while Gwyn plus a date were invited to the party. Moss was her official escort, left to deal with the business details, and Veximarl was there to make sure no one bothered her. Gwyn was feeling bothered. She was fidgeting with the glass beaded jewelry that she had made to match her dress.

“I’m leaving as soon as the job is done. There are those I would rather not see tonight.” She then looked over to Veximarl. He couldn’t tell if she meant him or if she wanted him to give her support.

Gulping, Veximarl blinked several times in rapid succession. “Hello, I-I mean afternoon. Pleasant afternoon it is, Miss He-Hewitt. They say it shouldn’t snow for the rest of the week. That’s… Good? Perhaps not. The snow caps are needed to provide water to several cities and towns within the region.” A nervous laugh came out of the necromancer as everyone present stared at him blankly.

A look of utter disdain crossed Gwyn’s features. “... I’m going to spend the rest of the day in my room. Goodnight.”

“Miss Hewitt!” Moss gestured to the door and Gwyn rolled her eyes. “We are past due for our departure. Let us be off.”

The trio filtered into a carriage and rode off to city hall. In a different carriage heading to the same destination, Sybil sat staring out the window. She had an array of hair charms pinning up her locks, and the sounds they made anytime her head moved were particularly annoying. Staring at her with mild annoyance was the prince, who was resting the side of his head on his palm as he studied her.

“You don’t look as bad as you usually do,” he muttered.

Sybil didn’t look at him. She instead looked down at the box that was in her lap. It contained baby blankets that were to be gifted to the Duke’s daughter. “Don’t get used to it. I’m only staying long enough to drop this off and before leaving for the night.”

Duxton gave her a crooked smile. “It isn’t that easy. I told you before that you’ll be expected to dance, socialize, and look like you are having a good time. This isn’t like the other parties. Leaving early means that you didn’t enjoy yourself and that would make the duke look bad.”

She scoffed at the remark, not caring if the duke looked bad. “Then I will leave at the earliest possible opportunity.”

“Despite how dull you are at times, I somewhat enjoy having you around.” The prince looked over to the man sitting next to Sybil. “Not this thing though. Why did you have to bring it along with you?”

“Because we are a package deal.” Alton put his arm around Sybil’s shoulder. “And neither of us are fond of you. It’s nice to share such opinions with the one you love, isn’t it dear?” He gave Sybil a smile, and she patted his knee as she smiled in return. Though her grin was more due to amusement concerning how pissed off Duxton appeared to be rather than pride in her relationship.

As the carriage rolled to a stop, the door opened to reveal both Beat and Shaw waiting for them. They followed the trio as they entered the city hall and made their way to the large ballroom. There were maybe two hundred or more people present, with the Duke standing by his daughter as she gracefully greeted any guests that approached her.

The crowd parted for them as they continued to walk forward. Standing in line to greet someone was something a prince would never do. Duxton gave a wide smile as he approached Duke Rubire directly, shaking the man’s hand vigorously when it was offered.

“What a lovely display you’ve put on,” he stated with a large, fake smile on his face. His hand gestured to the flowers and vines that hung about the ceilings and walls. “Such a wonderful contrast to the bitter winter. It makes me look forward to when spring arrives next week.”

Giving an equally fake grin, the duke gave him a nod. “And how fortunate that we’ll still be hosting you for our new year’s celebrations, Prince Duxton. I look forward to having you advise me and my nobleman throughout the next year as well.”

The air between them was thick with disdain. It didn’t bother Duxton in the slightest, nor did it make him stutter in his courtesy. “This is Miss Sybil Twist, who is currently studying under my mentor, and her husband, Alton Toval.”

“The musician, yes. I’ve heard of him... I’ve also heard of her.” Rubire’s smile turned into a sneer. “The core girl.”

“I ask that you do not refer to her as such in the future if you wish for our relationship to remain courteous, sir,” replied Duxton in a low but cheerful voice. “Our dear girl has done much to earn the interest of my family.”

Sybil didn’t like being in the center of attention. It also felt frustrating to be the center of the conversation without her being invited to speak. She looked between the two men and gave a small sigh, choosing instead to ignore them. Placing her gift on top of the others that were at a nearby table, Sybil gave the woman a curtsy.

“I hope that your child is born strong and healthy,” she said politely. “I would love to talk to you some more,” she wouldn’t, “but you have such a long line of those wanting to wish you the best. It would be rude of me to take up any more of your time.”

Taking Alton’s arm into her own, she then led him away from the crowded scene. He smirked at her mannerisms. “I see you’ve learned to handle yourself around these types.” It would be a lie if he said he hadn’t expected her to punch the first fool to piss her off, but she had been taking it quite well so far.

“Don’t remind me about it. I hate this,” she replied coldly. Looking around, there didn’t appear to be any place where she could hide until it was time to leave. Every part of the room was full of groups of people, and she could see the occasional glance in her direction or finger pointing her way.

“I’m not fond of this type of event either,” replied Alton. Though it was for different reasons. Normally he was bullied into entertaining others rather than being allowed to enjoy himself. “What do you want to do? Are you hungry? Anyone you want to say hi to? Feeling good enough to dance?”

A groan spilled out from her lips. “I just want to disappear before someone talks to me or that creepy prince tries to drag me off somewhere vile.”

“Dance with me.” He gave her a childish smile and she scoffed at the idea. When she looked away, Alton sidestepped and leaned down so he could maintain eye contact. “I said dance with me.” Her eyes narrowed. “... Pretty please?”

With another scoff, she held out her hand and was reluctantly dragged to the dancefloor. Sybil was tired of dancing. She had danced with Duxton so much that the little appeal that it once had was completely lost. In order to keep her composure, she had started to imagine herself as an automaton during her dances. A doll crafted to entertain others with perfect movements and a static face.

“Hey.” Alton’s voice made her snap back to reality, her eyes flitting up to him as a response. He tightened his grip on her lower back and spun them both around. His eyes crossed and cheeks puffing out in the process.

“Alton!” Sybil removed her hand from his shoulder and put it to her mouth so she wouldn’t draw attention to herself. “What are you doing?” She asked in a whisper.

“I got tired of not seeing you smile.” He let go of her waist so he could twirl her about in time with the music, holding her gently once more as they came together again.

She shook her head out of embarrassment, but a grin was glued on her face. “You could just ask. There isn’t a need to look like an idiot for my sake.”

“But you always think I’m an idiot,” he lifted her up by the waist and twirled the both of them together. “Why can’t I look the part?”

“I suppose it isn’t so bad as long as everyone acknowledges the inner idiot I that I see in you. Though, can you stop making up dance moves? It’s weird if everyone is staring at us because you can’t keep your hands to yourself.” She gave him a stern look, but only for a moment. It felt like scolding a puppy. Completely useless while at the same time unable to remain mad at him.

Alton shrugged. “But I’m happy. I want everyone to know how happy you make me.” He stopped his movements, and the music ceased with him. “Don’t you feel the same?”

Sybil shrugged. “Sort of?” He pouted. “Not when you make a face like that. It makes me feel all the shame you should have for your own behavior.”

“I am a shameful man, my love. Sometimes I lie awake at night and wonder how I will ever recover from my disgraces, but then I roll over on my side and see your sleeping face... And everything in this world seems perfect.” She frowned at his words. “You make my life whole, Sybil. Never forget that.”

He cupped her cheek and gave her an innocent, lingering kiss to the lips before he started their dance once more. The two glided about the floor, smiling at one another as they moved within the other’s arms. Any sounds of chatter dulled to the music, and soon it seemed like there was no one in this room aside from the two of them.

There was no memorized motions or the fancy footwork that Lady Till had drilled into their heads. They simply let the music govern their motions. For the first time in what felt like forever, Sybil had fun dancing. She missed this. She really did.

When it ended, Sybil let out another laugh. “You’re the absolute worst.”

Alton laughed as well. “Only because you make me that way.” The two continued to stare at each other in silence until the sound of a small bell rang through the room.

As the crowds fell silent, they all turned towards Duke Rubire as he stood up on a platform. To one side, his daughter was taking a long needed rest in a chair, and Prince Duxton was standing next to her alongside his own entourage. The servant next to the duke rang the bell again as one final insurance of gaining everyone’s attention.

“I believe the majority of our guests have settled themselves in. cheers to everyone who braved the cold this evening!” Rubire raised his glass and the audience gave a light applause. “Thank you all for your generous gifts and for joining me to celebrate my first grandchild!

A special thanks goes out to our endearing guests from the core! As we welcome in the new year, I look forward to maintaining the friendships we have developed. I’m pleased to announce that the core will have a stronger voice in this city’s policies. We are one city and we will no longer be divided by the silly squabbles of our past!”

Sybil wasn’t able to swallow his words. He was an older man whose family had taken the Crimson title through politics and trickery. If he was serious about the unification of the core and outerland, it would have been done ages ago. Her eyes accidentally met with Duxton’s. The prince was staring at her through the crowd. His knowing grin and nod made her stomach churn.

Of course, it was Duxton pulling the strings in the background. Who knows how long unity would continue once his presence was removed from the city. She tuned out the rest of the speech, only once again coming to her senses at Alton’s touch. He brushed some of her hair that had come loose behind her ear.

“There are some classmates of mine that I’m going to greet. Two of them are former squadmates. Do you want to meet them? You can rub in the fact that you have won me as your prize.” She squinted at him in a distrusting manner. “Don’t be like that. It was a joke.”

“Go on ahead. I saw Vex with Gwyn near the back wall. No one should bother me as long as I’m standing near them, as people seem to be avoiding Vex.” Though she didn’t understand why. He seemed perfectly normal to her.

“They’re all from rich families and there’s a charity that I need their daddy’s money for. After all, I think they owe me dearly for that stunt they pulled last summer. I’ll make it quick and join you soon.” He let his touch against her hand linger for a moment as he stepped back.

Clingy. Ever since she had said she’d give this marriage thing a go, he had become a lot more clingy. Sybil didn’t mind as much as she usually would. After a day of stress, it was comforting to idle in his arms and let the sounds of his heartbeat wash the world around her away. Though she was also worried about what he would be like once they got back to the barracks. Hopefully, it would die down once they were able to spend more time together.

She made her way across the ballroom in a daze. Stress and more stress. There was no way to describe her life. It was made suddenly worse when she ran into the chest of someone. Her mouth opened up and sputtered out a spree of apologies.

“No, it’s my fault!” Zyris checked both of the glasses of wine he was carrying. “Did I get any on you? … I don’t think any is missing, but… Sorry! I was spacing out!” He looked past Sybil and her eyes followed his. Caitlin was waiting by herself. She was dressed up and appearing uncomfortable. “Pretty, isn’t she?”

“I-I suppose so,” replied Sybil.

Caitlin did look beautiful. Normally she wore comfortable clothing and was covered in soot from work, but she cleaned up as well as Chickadee or their sisters did. She was probably forced to come here on her mother’s behalf, and Zyris had offered to keep her company.

“Not that you aren’t good looking! You’re very pretty yourself!” Zyris corrected himself. “.... Ah, Sorry! I’ve kept her waiting long enough. It was nice to meet you, uhm, miss, uh… Miss Noblewoman!”

Zyris moved around her and Sybil’s heart sank in the process. He didn’t even recognize her. She had known him for practically her entire life, had been in love with him, and he was so entranced by another woman that he couldn’t even see that it was her standing right in front of him.

Sybil put her hand to her temple and tried to control her breathing. What was she doing? What was she wearing? Why did she even want any of this? The corset of her dress was tight. There wasn’t a way for air to move through her lungs. Panic started to set in and she started to look for any way she could escape this place.

She made her way quickly towards the doors that led to one of the many outside balconies. Air. Sybil needed air to breathe, and the air in this room had become choked with anxiety.